If you long to change your career or start a new venture, the biggest obstacle is sometimes the person you see in the mirror. If you lack belief in yourself, it can paralyse you into inaction. You become weighed down with worrying about what people might think, whether you have what it takes and what happens if it all goes wrong. You might feel that your aspirations are impossible to reach, but there are things you can do to improve your self-belief and work towards your goals.

Recognise Negative Thoughts

When negative self-talk is at an unconscious level, you may not realise the extent to which this happens each day. Left unchecked, it can damage your confidence, as this chatter tends to overpower the positive. According to a 2005 study by the National Science Foundation, 80% of our thoughts are negative. 

Start by paying more attention to your thoughts and be on alert for anything unhelpful. Keep a notebook to hand and write down occurrences when you can. 

Rewire Unhelpful Thoughts

Now you're more aware of your inner voice, challenge those negative thoughts. For instance, perhaps you want to try for a promotion, but your internal dialogue says you're not good enough. Don't accept this. What is the evidence to support this suggestion? If the reason is that you lack the necessary skills, your counterargument could be that you're prepared to learn.

If you think everything will go wrong as you always mess things up, consider the truth of this. Reflect on examples where situations have gone well to demonstrate that the claim is false. Negative thoughts are not necessarily reliable sources. 

Use Affirmations

Affirmations can contribute to the rewiring of limiting beliefs. If your negative thinking tells you that it's too late to change your career, replace this with a positive affirmation, such as:

"I'm ready for change and have confidence in my potential."

Try incorporating affirmations into your daily routine as well. Create three statements that encourage optimism or include a trait you wish to embody, for instance: 

"I believe in myself."

"I am motivated to succeed."

"I can overcome any challenges."

It might help to write down your chosen affirmations. Allocate time to read them or repeat them to yourself. First thing in the morning is a good option, as it sets an upbeat tone for the day. As you continue to use affirmations, your mind will catch onto the positive associations. 

Visualisation

When you lack self-belief, you can enviously marvel at how amazing it must be for confident people. Imagine if you were one of these individuals. How would you feel if you had their self-assurance? Visualise what you would look like and how you would carry yourself. How would you interact with others? What could you achieve? In your mind, watch the possibilities unfold and observe the successful results. Get detailed with this version of you and bask in how good it makes you feel. Remember the feeling and bring it to mind during times of self-doubt.

Be Inspired by Others

Spend your time with positive people. Try to reduce contact with those who are pessimistic, critical or who generally bring your energy down. 

Take inspiration from others who've achieved a similar goal to yours or have succeeded in overcoming obstacles. Follow motivational figures on social media, and steer towards uplifting books, films or podcasts. Draw on their positivity to give you the encouragement you need to keep going.

Focus Less on the Mountaintop 

Break down your goal into smaller achievable chunks. Don't worry if you haven't got all the answers yet. Procrastination is more likely to creep in if you think you need every detail figured out. At this stage, you only need enough to get started. Concentrate on one point at a time. It will be less overwhelming if you remain focused on the next step rather than the ultimate distant goal. The final route to the summit may only appear through the clouds once you begin climbing. 

Celebrate Success

Acknowledge each achievement, no matter how insignificant it seems. One approach to this is to create a steps to success list. Write down each tiny win contributing to your objective. If you have a low day, it can be heartening to refer back to your list and see the progress you've made. Also, try rewarding yourself in small ways, whether it's an episode of your favourite Netflix series or indulging in a bowl of ice cream. 

You could also take a daily mental inventory before going to bed to acknowledge what's gone well that day. It doesn't necessarily have to be directly related to your goal. It could be the delicious meal you cooked that evening, receiving thanks from a colleague or getting the last seat on the bus. The idea is to recognise moments which will contribute to a positive mindset. 

Accept Obstacles

Life will always throw curveballs. When you lack self-assurance, challenges can dent your confidence even further. Although it can be difficult, don’t allow these situations to weaken your resolve. It's even more important to continue with the tools you've been using. Be mindful of your negative thoughts and reframe them. Go back to your visualisation and affirmations. Recall those who overcame their challenges. Don't fear failure. Cultivate a growth mindset and allow disappointments to become learning experiences. Reassess your goals and recalibrate if necessary. Remind yourself of what you've already achieved. 

Take Action

Accept that changing your life means leaving your comfort zone. The fear can be consuming, but breaking down your goal into small steps will make it feel more achievable. As you recognise your progress, your self-belief will flourish and spur you on. 

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